Automatic train-pipe connector.



I. V` ROBINSON.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTOR.v

APPLICATIQN F1150 11ue.18, 1915. RENEwED SEPT. 13. `1917.

1,245,80. I Patented Nov. 6, 1917. 3 SHEETS-SHEET I- @I Hoz/111mg J. ROBINSON.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTOR. APP'LlcATmN FILED Ausw. 1915. nENEwEosEPT.13.|917.

Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

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EO M @www l. V. ROBINSON.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTOR.

APPLlcATIoN man Aue.18.1915. RENEwED siPT. I3. 1911.

'1 ,245,800. Patented Nov.. 6, 191A?.

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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JOSEPH v. nomen, ea roar, CONNECTICUT.

AUTOMATIC may,

- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 6, 2191*?.

Appli-cation filed August`18, 1915,- Serial No. 46,135.. 'Renewed September 13, 1917. Serial No. 191,315.

and useful Improvements in Automatic Train-Pipe Connectors, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved support for yieldingly lsupporting the coupling head of an automatic train pipe connector, which will be simple andA eifective and which will offer but slight resistance to universal movement of the coupling head, when in the coupled position,A

and the maximum resistance to longitudinal movement thereof. l

To this end my invention consists of the combinations, constructions and improvements h ereinafter described, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improvement.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the base of the bracket of my improvement showing in detail the construction thereof.

Fig. 3 is a front viewv of the bracket ,comprising a part of my invention.

Fig. i is a rear view of the structure shown` in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is-a rear view of the flange 21, and Fig. 6 is a vertical section. through the base of the bracket of my invention showing the manner of assembling the "ange 21 therein.

Referring to the drawing: I secure -my `improved support to the lug 9 of the usual car ycoupler 10 as by bolts 11. The support comprises among other things a one piece bracket A, having at its lower end a chamber or base 12, and at its upper end at boss 13, through which pass the bolts 11. The bracket is provided with a cylindrical projectionv 14 into which is screwed the barrel or sleeve 15. Within the barrel and projecting into the chamber 12 I mount a buiier sprin C one end of which rests against a slioul er 16 of the barrel and the other end of which rests upon a plate or member 17 having an annular bearin yiii-embraced by said spring and having a so a shoulder 19 against which the spring abuts. The plate is provided with a socket or a semi-spherical concave seat 20, in which is mounted a semispherical boss 21 projecting from the rear agonal opening 24 is provided in the barrel l for' this purpose.

Projecting forwardl from theft-ont face of the flange 22 I provide a stem 25 carryin at its forward end a curved fitting or fluid conduit B to which is suitabl secured the coupling head D. I prefera ly press the tting into the head, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and mount in it a suitable gasket 26 adapted to make a butt joint with a complementary asket of an opposing coupling head, but

' t e head may be otherwise mounted on the fitting if desired. The usual train pipe hose 27 is` suitably connected to the fitting B as at 28. v

The foregoing few parts comprise my; im'-.

proved support. They are assembledby rst mounting the head D on the fitting B, then turning the head and fittin downwardly, when the flange may be p aced yinto the chamber 12 as shown particularly in Fig. 6. The plate. 17 is then mounted on the boss l21 after which the buiferspring C is placed in position on the plate and the barrel 15 is screwed into the projection 14 until the spring presses the ange 22 against the projections 23 with sufficient force to properly maintain the coupling head D in the `normal coupling position. The bracket is then bolted'to the lug 9 as by bolts 11 and the hose 27'is connected to the'nipple B which completes theasse'mbly.

It is' obvious that when two cars come together in the act of coupling my improved support will permit the movement of the heads required to negotiate curves, etc., the

"prongs 29 of the heads serve to aline the latter and insure accurate registration of the gaskets 26. When the `coupling heads are seated, further movement of the cars -will push the stem 25 rearwardly compressto universal movement of the heads will be the slight friction occurring in the socket 20 of the plate 17, while the full force of the spring C will be utilized to force the heads together. 'Ihis arrangement gives the maximum locking eect of the springs acting upon the heads and practically eliminates all the strains that tend to open lthe heads in rounding curves, etc. A highly eliicient joint in which mating gaskets will rest in constant contactat all times irrespective of the sharp whipping movement of running cars, is thus obtained without the use of locks or complex parts of any kind.

'The various members of my improvement are, of course, so proportioned that the necessary relative movement between them, to meet all conditions of service, may be had.

Having thus described my said invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In an automatic train'pipe connector, the combination of a coupling head, a fluid conduit leading therefrom, a bracket having a hollow base, a stem connected with said conduit and extending into the hollow of said base and having a partly spherical portion, a member seated on said spherical portion and having a socket for receiving the same, a spring mounted on said member, the member and the spring being within the hollow of said base, and a sleeve surrounding said spring and screwed in to said base and having a shoulder against which the spring rests. n

2. In an automatic train pipe connector the combination of a coupling head, a fluid conduit leading therefrom, a bracket having a hollow base, a stem connected with said conduit and extending into the hollow of said base and terminating in a flange which naliaeoo lies in .said base and on which is provided a partly spherical boss, said tese being slightly oblong in cross section Y and said Harige being of corresponding outline, a member seated on said boss and having a socket for receiving the same, a spring mounted on said member, a threaded projection on said base, and a sleeve screwed into said projection and embracing said spring.

3. In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination of a perforated coupling head, a curved conduit leading from said perforation, a gasket projecting in front of the face of said head, a hollow base having Y having a partly spherical socket for receiv-v ing the boss and having also an annular seat, a spring mounted on said seat and tending normally to project said coupling head forwardly of said base and press said flange against said projection and a cylindrical barrel surrounding said spring at the rear of said base and adapted to be screwed into the latter to place said `spring under compression.

In testimony whereof, I havehereunto set l my hand in the presence of two witnesses. JUSEPII V. ROBINSON. In the presence of- G. E. MATHESON, I-IAZEL I?. MARTIN. 

